Woods and waters.

Notes from the field - Illinois Conservation Police...

June 13, 2004|BY CHAUNCEY NIZIOL.

Notes from the field

- Illinois Conservation Police Officer Ronald Palumbo of Ogle County has been named 2003 Officer of the Year.

- Groundbreaking for the 411-acre Spring Lake Bottoms Wetland Restoration Project took place in Tazewell County between Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and the Illinois River. The project is the culmination of two years of planning and preparation by Ducks Unlimited, the Natural Resource Conservation Service and other conservation partners. According to Ducks Unlimited, the total cost of the project, including initial acquisition of the property and restoration, will be about $1.5 million.

- The June-to-Dec. 31 Chicago Park District fishing parking passes, good for the anglers lot on the east side of Burnham Harbor and under Lake Shore Drive at DuSable Harbor, are available at Henry's Sports and Bait, 3130 S. Canal St. The price is $12.50 for six months of access.

- Warm temperatures and record rain in parts of Wisconsin are increasing reports of fish kills because of Columnaris, a bacterial infection that most commonly strikes panfish and is not transmissible to humans. The increase of organic materials that have been washed into lakes and rivers have created excellent conditions for the Columnaris bacteria to thrive and multiply. June is typically the month that this bacteria is seen, and fish that do not die build up an immunity to the bacteria for the rest of their lives.

- Michigan legislators have passed a bill that would authorize state wildlife officials to open a mourning dove hunting season for the first time in 99 years. If signed into law, Michigan would become the 41st state in which doves are considered legal game birds.

- The first Chicagoland Fishing Rodeo for People with Disabilities is at William Powers Conservation Area. The event is slated to run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Interested anglers are required to bring a personal assistant. All necessary fishing equipment will be provided. Lunch is provided.

Tip of the week

If you come in contact with poison ivy this summer, try to wash up immediately with soap and cool water. There are special soaps and cleansers that help remove and minimize the spread of the oil from the plant that makes you itch. But also remember that the oil from the plant can be on the clothes you were wearing and they should be properly laundered, separately from other clothes, to avoid recontamination. Learn to identify this plant.

Ask Chauncey

Joe Williamson of Chicago asks: When I purchase night crawlers, they look OK, but within a few hours of traveling or fishing, they look dead. Is there something I should do to keep them alive?

Night crawlers should be kept cool and in the shade to last longer. Those small plastic containers they come in heat up quickly, so putting them in the trunk or even on the floor inside the car while transporting them can be too hot. Try keeping them in a small cooler on top of ice while transporting them or fishing.